John Muir Trust Nevis conservation officer Lewis Pate spotted a perfectly split hazelnut shell left by a red squirrel enjoying a nutty treat in Steall Gorge, Glen Nevis. This is the first recorded evidence of squirrels in this location.
Lewis says, “I was walking through the birch and ash wood on the path when I found it. The only animal that can do this is a red squirrel and while we have never observed any reds in the gorge, it is reasonable evidence of their presence despite the habitat not being particularly suited to them.
“Reds will feed on birch catkins but they tend to prefer cone bearing trees such as Scots pine, of which there are a few scattered about, although not very many for a sustainable population of squirrels.”
To date there have been no sightings of red squirrels in Steall Gorge itself, although they are regularly seen in the pine woods further down Glen Nevis.
“We’re going to put up a squirrel feeder with a sticky hair trap attached, and if this is successful I’ll will put a motion sensitive remote camera on the box and see if we can get some images.” A description and map of the walk to Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge can be found on Walkhighlands.